Top Retellings of Classic Tales

Ask the Author: Katherine Sharp Landdeck

“Ask me a question.” Katherine Sharp Landdeck

Answered Questions (4)

Sort By:
Loading big
An error occurred while sorting questions for author Katherine Sharp Landdeck.
Is there a way that a daughter of a WASP can access archives or add to archives? (My mother was in the class of 44-W-5).
Katherine Sharp Landdeck Hi Linda! Absolutely! You can go here to find their general email https://twu.edu/library/womans-collec....

Or you can email me at my work email and I will get you in touch! https://twu.edu/history-political-sci...

Thanks! KSL
flag
Did being a pilot yourself help when it came to making connections with the WASP over the years? They must have really trusted you to understand why they wanted to fly so badly back in WWII, even when many of them were told in subtle and not so subtle ways that women just didn't do that and certainly not for the military. Reading your book, it seems the research process must have been fascinating!
Katherine Sharp Landdeck Being a pilot really did make a big difference when doing my oral histories with the women. Their tone and attitude would always shift as soon as they realized we shared that love of flying. They would talk about the planes differently, describe little details knowing I got it, and gossip about things only another pilot would understand.
While a lot of the research was typical of a historian - in the archives, digging into primary sources - the best part was going with the women to airshows and finding some quiet corner to talk while planes buzzed overhead. I still can't believe I was so lucky!
flag
How did you first hear about the WASP?
Katherine Sharp Landdeck I was lucky enough to meet one - Caro Bayley Bosca - at an airshow in 1993. I was young, looking for something to do with my life, and had never heard of the WASP before. After meeting Caro I decided to learn as much about their story as I could as share it as widely as possible. We lost Caro several years ago, but I am so grateful for her help and friendship. Thanks!
flag
The arrogance of Americans is astounding! You did not invent female ferry pilots Have you never heard of the British Air Transport Auxiliary? Three years before FDR got off his arse and decided to join in (he should have canned "Lend/Lease!) the ATA - 200 women included - was ferrying planes all over Britain! The girls flew everything! Small to Heavy! Check your facts! WASPs were late to the party!!!
Katherine Sharp Landdeck Hi! Thanks for your comments. The pilots of the British ATA were incredibly important and are heavily featured in one of the early chapters of my book. Jacqueline Cochran even modeled the WASP uniform after the smart ATA uniform and several of the American women served in the ATA before serving in the WASP. I agree with your sentiment that they were important and rest assured, give them their due. Take Care, KSL.
flag
Katherine Sharp Landdeck
55 followers
To ask Katherine Sharp Landdeck a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more